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On the 17th of March 2021 the Netherlands will hold parliamentary elections, to elect members to the House of Representatives and form a national government.
There are 37 parties that will join the elections of 2021.
Most manifestos are written in Dutch, but some parties have their programs translated to English or Arabic.
Even though most migrants and none of the refugees can vote, they still need to understand the political landscape and access the information for better engagement and encouragement to participate in the future.
We took it upon ourselves to translate some of the information, especially migration-related, and share it with our community of migrants in an accessible form, to provide them with some knowledge of what may immensely impact their lives over the next few years.
Below you can find short descriptions of the 15 largest/most popular parties.
VVD:
The VVD is a conservative-liberal party. It attaches great importance to private enterprise, economic liberalism and the freedom of the individual in political, social, and economic affairs. VVD has supported prioritizing security over civil liberties. The party is generally supportive of European economic integration but is less supportive of political integration. The party's leader is Mark Rutte.
Their views on Migration:
Apply for asylum only once within Europe.
Criminalizing illegal residence in the Netherlands or the facilitation of it.
A European external border policy that prevents migrants from traveling through to Europe by themselves and, if necessary, returning them from closed reception facilities at the border to safe countries.
CDA:
The CDA is a center-right Christian democratic party. It holds to the principle that government activity should supplement but not supplant communal action by citizens. The CDA puts its philosophy between the "individualism” of the VVD and the "statism” of the PvdA. The CDA favours European economic, cultural, and political integration.
Their views on Migration:
Reception and asylum applications at the external borders of Europe and an effective policy for returning rejected asylum seekers.
A new and stricter integration policy based on reciprocity.
PvdA:
The PvdA is a social-democratic, centre-left labor party. Its program is moderately progressive and focused on issues such as employment, social security and healthcare. Its program is based on more social, political, and economic equality for all citizens.
Their views on Migration:
European countries that refuse to receive refugees are cut financially.
We provide development cooperation to countries and groups that need this support most. It will never depend on reducing the number of migrants.
We involve Dutch people with roots in another country of origin ("diaspora") in shaping policy so that their knowledge, involvement and network can be better utilized.
SP:
The SP is a socialist party, relatively far left on economic issues and advocating democratic socialism, rejecting the privatisation of public services and advocating for increased social welfare, socialised education, and safety, while at the same time taking more conservative positions on issues like integration and national identity compared to the PvdA. The party opposes what it sees as the European Superstate.
Their views on Migration:
Proportional distribution of asylum seekers across Europe.
We will legally regulate the right of residence of refugee children rooted in our country.
The causes of people fleeing must be addressed. Throwing bombs in war zones does not stop the war and that is why the SP is very critical when it comes to participating in wars.
D66:
D66 is a centrist social liberal party. The party supports liberal policies on social issues (abortion, drugs, euthanasia). D66 is also a supporter of European integration and some non-fundamental economic reform. The party supports open immigration, secularism, EU integration, and is relatively supportive of civil liberties and privacy.
Their views on Migration:
Humanitarian visas to reach Europe safely, humane reception centers at the borders of Europe. Promising asylum seekers will be spread across Europe according to a mandatory distribution key.
Alternatives to immigration detention, such as a duty to report or signing a guarantee. Immigration detention should be the last resort for people who do not want to leave.
The ChristenUnie is a Christian democratic party made up of mostly orthodox Protestant Christians, with conservative stances on abortion, euthanasia and gay marriage. In other areas, the party is considered centre-left, for instance on immigration, the welfare state and the environment.
Their views on Migration:
Closure of asylum seekers centres (AZC’s): reception of asylum seekers will be further decentralized to municipalities, asylum seekers centers only for returnees.
Not the business model of companies should be the measure of labor migration, but the social need.
Good citizenship education during integration. We help newcomers to become part of our democratic constitutional state and to internalize its core values.
DENK:
DENK is a small political party mainly focusing on and promoting multiculturalism and social integration. The party also supports environmentalism and international justice.
Their views on Migration:
'Integration' is replaced by 'mutual acceptance'.
Granting a permanent residence permit for asylum seekers who have litigated for more than ten years in order to be eligible for a residence permit.
GroenLinks combines green environmentalist ideals with left leanings. The party is strongly in favour of the multicultural society, government control of the economy, high taxes, social engineering and believes strongly in man-made global warming. The current leader Jesse Klaver opposes what he calls "economism", where important values seem to be secondary to economic growth.
Their views on Migration:
Anyone who applies for asylum in the Netherlands will receive a decision much faster (within six months). We will structurally invest in the capacity of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND). Procedures involving children are given priority.
People can already take language lessons and other courses during the asylum procedure.
Anyone who resides in the Netherlands without documents has access to basic necessities such as care, shelter and legal aid.
PVV:
The PVV is a right-wing populist, conservative and anti-Islam party founded and dominated by Geert Wilders, formerly of the VVD. Its philosophy is based on maintaining the integrity of Dutch culture, and opposition to immigration and European integration.
Their views on Migration:
Complete asylum stop and therefore closure of asylum seekers centers, migrants from Islamic countries can no longer enter the Netherlands.
Temporary asylum permits of Syrians will be withdrawn.
There will be a new Ministry of Immigration, Remigration and De-Islamization (IRD). This must ensure that people return to their country of origin and the spread of "Islamic ideology" is prohibited.
FvD:
FvD is a right-wing, populist, nationalist conservative party. In favour of lower taxes, promoting environmental sustainability (while questioning mankind's influence on climate change), military investment and expansion, electoral reform, offering a referendum on European Union membership, reinstating border controls and ending what it perceives as mass immigration.
Their views on Migration:
Illegal persons must be detected, prosecuted and deported as soon as possible. Municipalities that refuse to cooperate in government policy will be cut back on their general grant from the Municipal Fund.
The option to apply for asylum on Dutch territory will no longer be possible.
Termination of the Schengen Convention, the reintroduction of border controls.
The Netherlands itself determines who comes to the Netherlands, cultural compatibility is decisive in this respect, and remigration is encouraged.
PvdD:
PvdD is an animal rights party, that is often considered a one issue-party, although it claims not to be. The focus of the party is on animal welfare, protecting the environment and conservation. The party also has left-of-centre points of view about education, privacy, health care and the economy.
Their views on Migration:
The European border agency Frontex must be replaced by humanitarian missions aimed at helping people in need. There will be an investigation into allegations of violations of international treaties and maritime law by Frontex.
There is no interference with the UN Refugee Convention, no one is sent back if they are in danger in their country of origin.
50Plus is a populist pensioner’s party. The party takes a centrist position in the political spectrum which combines social democratic, social liberal and social conservative positions.
Their views on Migration:
Europe's external borders are better controlled.
Economic refugees and rejected asylum seekers will be returned to their country of origin as soon as possible after judgment.
Human smuggling must be punished more severely.
NIDA:
NIDA is a party inspired by Islam. It was founded in 2013 and is currently only represented at the municipal level. The party is left-oriented and supports a social, ecological and inclusive society. It shares similar principles as Denk and GroenLinks, although NIDA is more religiously oriented.
Their views on Migration:
We de-criminalize and legalize undocumented persons: the reception of refugees and the freedom-to-move have nothing to do with charity, but with justice.
We open the borders to labor migration and create a more circular migration.
BIJ1:
BIJ1 is a left-wing party that focuses on fighting racism and discrimination in the Netherlands. It’s pillars are radical equality and economic justice. The party has an intersectional and feminist approach and strives among other issues for the emancipation of the LGBTIQ+ community, stronger anti-hate speech laws, an end to ethnic profiling, a single-payer healthcare system and the closing of the gender wage gap.
Their views on Migration:
The Netherlands will abolish residence permits and grant residence rights to migrants regardless of their background.
Migrants and asylum seekers will have access to the same rights as Dutch nationals, regardless of their documents or lack thereof.
More is being invested in hearing and decision officers of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) in order to communicate in a culture-sensitive manner and to approach and assess asylum seekers from the context and dignity of the asylum seeker.
The Netherlands will close all detention centers for asylum seekers and stop all deportations.
(Source: Wikipedia)
More information about the different parties and how they fall in the right/left/progressive/conservative spectrum
Disclaimer: we are providing impartial, relevant and public information about each party with a focus on their views on migration. The aim is to inform, educate and highlight. We do not aim to direct, instruct or warn.